Ida gave them a simple nod and a bow before disappearing off to sleep, giving the two love birds some much-needed time alone. Sierra and Alistair entered her room. Nightwear for the both of them had already been set on the bed for them.

After a quick change of clothes, Sierra was going straight to bed when Alistair hugged her from behind. He breathed in her scent, committing it to memory so that he would never forget.

"Where should I sleep tonight, sweetling?" He asked politely.

Sierra giggled, "You can sleep wherever you like."

"Anywhere?" He echoed her words one more time to confirm what he had heard.

"Anywhere," she replied nonchalantly, without much thought as she headed to bed.

As she lay down in bed, she immediately sensed his presence next to her. She turned over to meet his face, a cheeky grin forming across hers as he smiled back at her. They laid down comfortably on the pillows while looking at one another.

Sierra leaned forward, resting her head on his chest as she closed her eyes. She could hear his rhythmic heartbeat and it lulled her to sleep. She felt the warmth of his body against hers, as they snuggled beneath the covers.

She could hear his heartbeat rapidly increasing, which made her chuckle.

"If your heart rate goes up any higher, I doubt I’ll be able to sleep," she whispered to him as she looked up at him.

Alistair smiled, he couldn’t help it. They have not had many tender moments like this one in a long time, not with all that had happened. He cherished the moment, but he was nervous too.

Sierra always knew how to make his heart flutter.

She was the love of his life.

He wrapped his arms around her, pressing her close.

"It’s going to be difficult for my heart rate to come down with you so close, sweetling."

Sierra chuckled a little as she began to pull away from him, "Well perhaps some distance would be good then."

She turned on her side to face the balcony instead. A cheeky grin still remained on her face. Alistair knew what she was trying to do. Not having her cuddled next to him was not an option, so he turned towards her and spooned her instead.

He wrapped her in a big warm hug, which was exactly what she wanted.

"Is this better?" He whispered in her ear.

"Better," she echoed his words as they drifted off into sleep.

~

The next morning, Sierra woke up as she felt the warm sunlight against her skin. But despite having her eyes wide open, she could not see anything. Feeling her own face, she quickly realised someone had tied a silk cloth over her eyes.

She felt around the bed. Alistair was not by her side. The space next to her was empty. Just as her smile turned into a frown, she heard his voice coming from the bathroom.

"Don’t panic, sweetling," she could hear his voice getting closer to her as he continued to speak, "It’s our big day and we can’t see each other until the ceremony."

"Is that why I’m blindfolded?" She asked as she yawned, a smile gradually returning to her face after hearing his explanation.

"It is," she could hear him chuckle a little as he came up even closer than before and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Not on the lips?" She pouted as she crossed her arms when she felt him moving away from her side.

Alistair chuckled as he came up close by her ear. He was so close, that she could hear him breathing.

"That’s for later, my love. I’ve got to go get ready and you need to too."

Sierra let out a sigh as she reached for the blindfold. She was tired of not being able to see him. But before she could, Alistair stopped her. He was standing in front of her, with his hand on her hand that was on the silk cloth.

"Oh come on, just one quick peek," Sierra pleaded.

Alistair grinned, "Patience my love, patience. It will all be worth it."

She gave up with a sigh, relaxing her hand.

"Alright," she grumbled.

She could feel Alistair leaving her side once more. But just when she thought he had made it to the door, he swiftly scurried back to her side, planting a quick kiss on her lips before sprinting for the door once more.

By the time she finished wrestling with the blindfold over her eyes, he was long gone. The door to her room was left half open in his ’escape’. Sierra chuckled to herself as she shook her head.

If this was what to expect of her life after their marriage union, she could not wait for another second to be single.

A few moments later, Ida knocked and entered the room along with a few other maids. They were here to prepare Sierra for the day. The next few hours were filled with tedious prepping.

But by the time they were done, Sierra was ready for her wedding day. She had originally planned to wear the same dress as she had before. However, since they had a bit of time between then and now, she had them make a few more alterations to suit her preferences.

"Beautiful as always, Your Majesty," Ida said as she put the finishing touches on Sierra’s hair.

This time, the ceremony was taking place in the morning. Sierra’s brocade was made with blended fabrics made from flexible metal and silk threads. Not only did it allow for the raised designs, but it also facilitated protection in case of an attack.

Her royal circlet rested on her head, nestled amongst her long slightly curled hair. As per her request, jewelry was kept to a minimum. But the proposal ring Alistair had given to her, along with their union rings were both present on her dominant hand.

She looked down at the rings on her finger.

"Your Majesty, everything is ready for your arrival," a messenger came to notify Sierra.

Taking in a deep breath, Sierra got up on her feet. She walked over to the full-length mirror to take in her full look. She could hardly recognize herself. Butterflies were fluttering in her stomach as she turned from side to side to get a better look.

The smile on her face was unmistakable.

She had never been more ready.